For over a century, The Nutcracker has enchanted generations of audiences worldwide. In Cincinnati, families and friends can continue the holiday tradition by seeing Ballet Theatre Midwest’s The Nutcracker, Dec. 21-23, 2012 at the Walter C. Deye S.J. Performance Center at St. Xavier High School, 600 West North Bend Rd.

This classic production, adapted and choreographed by Ballet Theatre Midwest’s Artistic Director Daniel R. Simmons, features principal guest artists Martin Roosaare and Regina Dupont of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music dance division, members of BTM’s Professional Performance Ensemble, and more than 75 students of the Ballet Theatre Midwest Academy.

The curtain opens to a Christmas Eve party in a Victorian home where Herr Drosselmeyer, magician and toymaker, gives Clara a toy Nutcracker and Clara’s brother Alexander a Toy Tin Soldier. Drosselmeyer summons to life the Nutcracker and Toy Tin Soldier, along with a beautiful Ballerina Doll. Both Nutcracker and Toy Tin Soldier fall desperately in love with her. After a battle between Nutcracker and Soldier, mice and militia, waltzing snowflakes sweep the audience to a magical Toy Kingdom.There, characters from around the world come to life—Dresden Porcelain Dolls, a 20-foot long Chinese dragon, Magic Flowers of Holland, Pirates of the Caribbean Sea, and Mother Ginger and her little Buffoons.

New to this year’s performance are a couple surprises for the audience. Simmons said the Chinese dragon divertissement will have a Chinese Ribbon Dancer this year, and the Russian variation will feature a Russian Hoop Dancer. “Both the Chinese Ribbon Dancer and Russian Hoop Dancers are going to add some new interest and character to ACT II.”

“What makes this Nutcracker so special is the camaraderie between veteran dancers and young students,” said Simmons.“I have BTM’s youngest students dancing alongside CCM’s pre-professional dancers. I am committed to bringing every young student to the stage, allowing them to experience the theater. Being onstage is a vital part of learning the craft of dance. There is no better ballet than The Nutcracker to allow that to happen.”
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